Hospitality recruiter CSI transitions to employee ownership
Catering Services International has transitioned to an employee ownership model. The move was advised on by FRP Corporate Finance.
Andrew Berman, managing director of Catering Services International (CSI), commented, “Our people have always been at the heart of our success, so it felt natural that they should benefit directly from the value they help create.”
As of 2025, the UK employee ownership sector comprises approximately 2,470 employee owned businesses – employing around 358,000 individuals – keeping their profit internally rather than shared with external investor or owners. Since 2014, when the current legislation was implemented, the sector has grown by 1640% in total business count, with 560 transitions in 2024 alone.
CSI is a hospitality employment agency with over 35 years of experience matching staff with businesses across the UK. With 11 regional offices the company works with a wide range of firms from independent venues to major hospitality groups.
It has now become 100% employee-owned, after establishing a new employee ownership trust that gives its employees a direct stake in the business. The move to employee ownership marks a significant milestone for the company, ensuring the continued independence of the business whilst preserving its culture and long-standing commitment to client service and staff development.
The deal was advised upon by a team from FRP Corporate finance. The team – led by partner Mark Naughton, director Matt Field, associate director Freddie James and executive Emma Wade – managed the creation of the new trust, supporting on the valuation, structuring and negotiations while also delivering specialist tax advisory and clearance assistance.
Mark Naughton, partner at FRP Corporate Finance, remarked, “Employee ownership is becoming an increasingly popular succession route for founders who want to secure the long-term future of their business whilst rewarding the people who have helped to build it. Catering Services International has established itself as a trusted partner to the hospitality sector over the past three decades, and this transition will allow the company to preserve the culture of collaboration that has made it successful as it continues to grow.”
Berman added, “With the help of Mark, Freddie and Matt and the team at FRP Corporate Finance, we’ve been able to put in place a structure that protects our independence, rewards our employees and positions us for the next chapter of growth. The support they provided was second to none, which ensured a smooth transition, cementing the future of the business.”
